Shabti (Funerary Figurine) of Psamtek

This matte pale-green shabti is typical of faience workshops of Dynasty 26. It was produced using two molds, creating the details in the wig, around the eyes, and on the beard. Nine rows of text then were incised into the paste by hand. The inscription adapted from the Book of the Dead, made the shabti useful for when the deceased was called upon to perform physical labor in the afterlife. This text and the symbolic properties of faience would magically animate the shabti, who would then answer, “Here I am” and serve in the owner’s place.